Cthos

Lord of the Underworld, it is silent Cthos that sits in judgment over the dead from the Palace of Nugarath, sending the souls of the faithful to serve their deities and the hypocritical or faithless to their final doom. Though Cthos' clergy isn't particularly massive, it is fairly pervasive, as Cthos' executioners serve significant roles in the judicial processes of most urban areas. Though worshipers of Cthos tend to be fairly dark and morose, at best, worship is accepted in most regions as a necessity, particularly since most of his priests and worshipers consider themselves professionals, above such petty concerns as vengeance and hatred.

Cthos tends to be extremely neutral, both in mortal and entital politics, but his greatest enemy is Tethys, goddess of undeath. It is only when opposing the clergy of Tethys (and her undead minions) that Cthos' own followers fight with an often devastating, blind religious zeal.

Cthos

God of the Underworld

Descriptive Info

Gender: Male

Avatar: Carnifus of the Blooded Axe, Aochobar the Damned, Hela, Cthoroc

Consort(s): None

Allies: Lord Ptharos, God of Air and Good (grandfather); Baelthor, God of the Earth; Aridnus, God of Judgment (father); Britomaris, Goddess of Thieves; Kratos, God of War; Ladon, God of Work; Majestas, Goddess of Law (aunt); Meliboea, Goddess of Justice; Paelemona, Goddess of Fate; Podarge, God of Destruction; Tisiphone, Goddess of Vengeance; Zelos, God of the State.

Foes: Tethys, Goddess of the Undead (mother); Abaris, Goddess of Magic (half-sister); Clementia, Goddess of Mercy; Orchus, God of Luck

Spiritual Info

Rank: Major

Nature: Intermediate

Ethos: Agathocacological

Major Influence: Death and the Underworld

Minor Influence(s): Executioners, assassins, mystical secrets

Symbols

The main symbol of the Church of Cthos is of a white skull superimposed over a crossed red axe and a shepherd's crook. Nightshade and other poisonous plants are significant to the Church, as is the Yew tree (most altars to Cthos are constructed of this tree). Mullein is a significant symbol of the pastors of the Church, while Foxglove is significant to the Moritae. Myrrh is significant to the Makatielites as a protective herb against undead. Bloodstone is the most significant stone to the followers of Cthos, and most magical items created by the Church have at least one such stone imbedded in it.

Dwelling Place

The Palace of Nugarath on the Ethereal Plane.

Servants

Makatiel, the Guardian of the Underworld, is his most powerful lieutenant, though he is also served by Saint Teravar the Good, Saint Antheus the Gray, and Ditis Carnifex the Damned.

Doctrine

No information available on the doctrine of Cthos

Mission

No information available on the mission of Cthos

Geography

No geographic information available on Cthos

History of the Church

No historic information available on Cthos

Organization

No information available on the Organization of the Church of Cthos

Garments

During religious ceremonies, priests of Cthos wear elaborate black, white and gray robes that cover every inch of their bodies (including a mask over their faces). Those who are currently operating in their capacity as executioner (in those regions where such is legal), wear black leather armor and a black executioner's mask. Monks tend to wear long, gray robes and gray mask. Whatever the occasion, each priest and monk must prominently wear the symbol of his Order, carved out of Yew.

Religious Practices

No information available on the religous practices of the Church of Cthos

Customs

The followers of Cthos obey the Tome of Saint Antheus, which dictates the proper means to send mortals and animals to their deaths and the exacting means by which they must do so. Furthermore, each Order of the Church has a specific Rule that must be obeyed while the adherent is a member of that Order. These Rules not only detail what the adherent is to do in his day-to-day life, but also provides the necessary test for ascension from the previous Order.

Taboos

Followers of Cthos are forbidden from attempting to curb the natural aging process. Though their practices are usually considered dark, they are also forbidden from being cruel to those who must be killed, even if they are merely butchers killing lambs for meat. This rule is so extreme that an executioner who fails to quickly kill the criminal to which he was assigned must refrain from his duties for a period of nine days while he fasts and repents of his sin. Thus, followers of Cthos never execute someone by hanging, stoning or pressing, or any method other than a sharp axe.

Priests and monks of Cthos are forbidden from discussing the practices and Rule of their Order. Doing so is considered a capital offense by the Church (though in those regions which do not recognize this power of the Church, offenders must be ritually "executed" by means of excommunication).